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Tights Defined Bikini Science defines tights as a garment which covers the pelvis, legs and feet. Tights thus have but one edge, the waistline. Tights may have straps under the feet, leaving the toe and heels bare (KP88GB) but in strict terms should the garment be footless it is more correctly termed slacks, a species of culotte (and with three edges). Should the garment not cover the pelvis and only come up the leg then the garment would be a pair of stockings (and the two pieces would together have two edges). Like slacks, tights can be made bulky, crafted from colorful stretch fabrics like Spandex, or made from extremely thin and sheer nylon, such as pantyhose. Tights are a union between a culotte and stockings. Pantyhose is an example of tights, a union or panties and stockings. They were first made, in fact by sewing hose and panties together. Tights Deployment Tights predate the emergence of swimwear but play a logical role once the bathing dress of the Gibson Girl looses it bloomers. Leg coverage is a choice of two options--the higher-rising tights (which fully cover the pelvis) or the more scandal-prone stockings, which tempt the exposure of bare leg above the top of the hose--a well-honed tease of the era. Tights and Layering Tights worn over or under a leotard (a.k.a. a maillot) approximate the coverage of the unitard; this involves layering around the pelvis. Maillot tank and tights are an alternative to unitard throughout the early teens. This combination also involves a layering. In the late teens, this could present a monochromatic (black) look (e.g. KY1650), or a gradation of color and texture (RS1650). With modern exercisewear it presents bright color contrasts, as well as a way to take the advantage of maillot tanga support without baring the buttocks. Wearing a maillot tank tanga over top tights provides for more fashion lines to display, as well as the potential to exposure skin to the side of the hip. |
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